KUCHING: Sape songstress Alena Murang will launch her first solo art exhibition entitled “Colours of the Highlands”, at La Promenade Mall here from March 18 to April 30.
The solo show will include almost 50 amazing never-seen-before pieces — all by Alena — at Hoan Gallery on level three of the mall, starting from 7 pm.
It will also show a decade of Alena’s art, including portraits and abstracts.
Entry to the show will be free, with all pieces for sale, ranging from RM1,000 to over RM25,000.
For the award-winning Kelabit musician, who has performed concerts all round the world, painting has been always her first love.
“My mother harnessed my love for painting at an early age, encouraging me to draw, colour, make collages, embroider and paint,” she said.
For “Colours of the Highlands”, Alena attempted to ‘pour contemporary Kelabit stories onto canvases’.
She described the works as a “joyful reclamation” of Kelabit heritage through memory.
Some of Alena’s artworks are based on traditional Kelabit designs that look like large encompassing swirls.
These swirls (arit, in Kelabit language), which Alena first saw in old black and white pictures, were historically carved into stone and wood, and hardly used by the Kelabit community today.
Meanwhile, Hoan Gallery owner Hoan Kee Huang said, “We all know Alena as a talented musician — her vocals and sape playing have given voice to Sarawak on a global stage.
“What most of us don’t know is that she’s such a talented painter. I’m floored by what I’ve seen, from delicate portraits to abstract pieces and beautiful flora. For the six weeks, Hoan Gallery will become Alena’s gallery.”
He added several ultra-large pieces are kept tightly under wraps and media previews of selected pieces will be held starting next week.
“A three-panel piece called ‘The Storyteller’ is the one to look out for. It comes with an audio piece, which gives insight into Alena’s process of receiving songs from her village elders. It’s hypnotic, emotional and timeless. That is truly Alena. Such art demand your total attention,” Hoan said.
Distancing from the over-exoticism that much of Borneon art has found itself blanketed under, Alena wants Colours of the Highlands to spark down-to-earth conversations about contemporary heritage.
For further information, the public can visit hoangallery.com or lapromenademall.com.my.
